Thinking of a W212 E-Class petrol.

[Savcom]

Hi.

My aging e39 BMW is beginning to sound a bit noisy and will need some TLC shortly and I'm in two minds to trade her in for a newer car. As I'm really not doing the miles since buying the SLK I am looking at a petrol replacement and from the Benz range I'm considering a 2009 or newer E-class (maybe an E350?) and I've some questions about the engines available.

As I understand it the pre-facelift E200 and E250 models have different versions of the 1.8L turbo petrol engine and I'm wondering if these engines are up to it? Do they last - or should I only consider low-mileage ones? Are the facelift 2.0L engines any better? Or should I just hold out for an E350 instead?

We tried sitting in a 2013 E-class AMG-line over the weekend which was very nice, but Mrs. Savcom found the seats a little too ... snug (no sniggering at the back!!) So another question is about the seats. Are the non-sport seats on the Avantgarde or the SE a little more relaxed? (she's happy with the seats in the SLK320 I have, if that helps)

Thanks.

 

[EClassy]

I had a 2009 E200 CGI from new and sold it last year after 6 years of ownership. It is the most powerful (184bhp) car I have owned so I found the power more than enough for me. I didnt really care for fuel economy but I think the trip computer had it down as 28mpg over my 37,000 miles.

Apart from one issue with the turbo hoses which was dealt with under warranty in year 3 of my ownership, it was just the regular servicing. I changed all 4 tyres at 24,000 miles. They still had legal thread left but I noticed I wasnt stopping quick enough when it was wet.

The E250 CGI (204bhp) that was given to me as a courtesy car during the watranty work didnt feel any quicker.

If you can get one with real leather seats it would be better because the artico seats start cracking later on. Mine started to crack in year 5. Reading about the problem online, some people's seats started cracking after just 1 year

 

[st13phil]

Are the non-sport seats on the Avantgarde or the SE a little more relaxed?

Yes, is the short answer

 

[Dinnie]

My wife is short and she finds the sport seats in my E-class coupe (Sport trim) uncomfortable.

 

[Savcom]

I had a 2009 E200 CGI from new and sold it last year after 6 years of ownership. It is the most powerful (184bhp) car I have owned so I found the power more than enough for me. I didnt really care for fuel economy but I think the trip computer had it down as 28mpg over my 37,000 miles.

Hmm.. I was expecting around mid-30's if I'm honest. I do better than 28mpg in my SLK - and I reckon she has a drink problem!

The E250 CGI (204bhp) that was given to me as a courtesy car during the watranty work didnt feel any quicker.

That's interesting too. That would imply that both engines need to be worked to get any performance out of them.

If you can get one with real leather seats it would be better because the artico seats start cracking later on. Mine started to crack in year 5. Reading about the problem online, some people's seats started cracking after just 1 year

Now that DOES worry me a bit. I'd read about the seams splitting on Artico-covered C Classes but hadn't heard that there were also issues with the E class.

If I aim for Avantgarde, I think that means full leather seats, doesn't it?

Yes, is the short answer

My wife is short and she finds the sport seats in my E-class coupe (Sport trim) uncomfortable.

Ha ha! Thanks. I'll stick to non-Sport models then.

So from these comments, my likely search criteria looks like an E350 CGI Avantgarde. Not bad! (except there are only six for sale on Autotrader in the UK at the moment)

Cheers

 

[st13phil]

That's the problem: there are only a tiny number of petrol-engined W212's, but bucketloads of diesels. I had an Avantgarde 350CDI before my E63 and it was a superb car. The Avantgarde may not look as sharp as the Sport model, but it's a fine example of what Mercedes-Benz does best.

 

[tonysmb]

I think the seats in the coupé are different to those in the saloon, so you'd need to check that point before finally deciding.

 

[Savcom]

Well the closest to me has 100,000 miles on the clock. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try a test drive, but is there anything to be aware of on a car with this mileage? I'd expect full service history naturally, but does anything big need doing at these miles that may make someone want to sell??

 

[ShinyF1]

350CGI W212 e classes are like hens' teeth, particularly if you fancy an estate. Also appears there was a very small window of production from 2010 - 2012, which doesn't help.

 

[Alf Barnet]

I have a facelift S212 250. It's plenty powerful, to the extent I had new continentals on the back at 12000 miles. There is plenty of power, linear rather than diesel sudden push. I'm not a plodder so it does 28MPG - that's a B route commute and quite often 4 up with sports gear. As an ex E39 owner, you will find it similar except for the awful steering. That lack steering input really stops me loving it sadly.

As a side note I'm 99% certain it had a more responsive map added at the first service, but I'm buggered if I can find one to compare with!

The CGI's are pretty rough on cold tickover, but only from the outside. I think that facelift AMG's with full leather get SE seats, rather than the sports ones. I wasn't impressed with the lumbar seats everyone says you need either.

 

[Savcom]

Thanks for that. Good insight.

As an ex E39 owner, you will find it similar except for the awful steering. That lack steering input really stops me loving it sadly

To be fair, that same complaint has been levelled at the E60 (and, to a degree, with the F10 which I am also considering) too. I don't think I will equal the precision I have in the E39 in any of the newer 'Executive Saloons' so I'm not really expecting to. I am expecting benefits in chassis, comfort and gadgets, although the E39 was pretty well equipped for it's age, and developments in technology from what is now almost a twenty year old car design.

 

[Savcom]

The CGI's are pretty rough on cold tickover, but only from the outside.

I wonder if that's the 4-cylinder engine? If I go for the E350 then the engine will be a V6 and if it's anything like the SLK320, I ought not to hear it.

The E39 is a straight six diesel that's not doing many miles, so that is a bit clattery at idle too - to the point that the neighbour I pick up waits in the morning till she hears the BMW before leaving the house....